Discovering A Passion In The Midst Of Setback

I was reflecting the other day about an incident that happened over 2 years ago in what seemed like a major setback and disappointment but turned into an understanding of what I was meant to do.

It seemed like a perfect situation. It seemed like God opened the door. I received a call from a district superintendent in another state and a different denomination from which I am currently serving. I had not heard anything from this superintendent for over a year and then I get a call out of the blue. He told me there is a church up north that is interested in me to be their senior pastor. I had just finished seminary and was looking for a ministry opportunity so this was exciting news. I said yes and the process began. It was a slow process too. After doing interviews I got the call that the church wanted to fly my wife and I up for a face-to-face interview. It would be a whirlwind two days of seeing the town, meeting church members, and seeing if this would be a good fit.

We got to the church and met the board who would perform the interview. Everyone was friendly and nice and I felt that when we were done the interview the situation seemed like a great fit. They even talked to us after about the parsonage and what updates they would do for us. Everything was on track for a great opportunity. And then the phone call came…

They decided that we weren’t the right fit for them after all. No real explanation except they decided to interview someone else. I was crushed. How did this happen? I felt for sure this was God and that he was calling us there. It was a major disappointment and felt like a setback.

I went through the interview in my head trying to think of went wrong or what I said that caused them to say no. I couldn’t think of anything. But as I started thinking on my answers I realized something, something that would help me to understand my call. The answers that I gave all spoke of my experience in youth ministry. I talked about youth ministry a lot. That was my only reference to which I had ministry experience so that was what I based my answers on. But the more I thought about it the more I realized that my heart and passion was for youth ministry. That was my call.

I still wonder what would have happened if that church would have said yes to us. I still wonder why it seemed like God was saying yes and then the outcome became no. But in the moments of disappointment, anger, shock and confusion I learned something valuable about myself and my call. The church said no and that was a good thing because I have had the opportunity to minister to and get to know many great youth and parents. I have had experiences that I wouldn’t trade for anything and great memories that I will always have. The “no” turned out to be a blessing and not a curse.

Setbacks are not fatal unless you let them. Failure is not fatal unless you let it. Many great men and women failed miserably until they found success.  It is in the setbacks that we learn and grow and discover things about us that can make us better.

So maybe you have experienced setbacks, failures, and disappointment. What can you learn from that? What can God teach you through it? How can you become a better person because it? You never know when a no might open a door to greater and better things.

Sky Gazer or World Changer?

A lot happened in the world last week. An airplane shot down, more conflict in the Middle East and many other tragic news stories. The one thing I was most surprised I did not see more of were posts, articles or people on television talking about the end being near. Maybe I missed it or maybe I stayed away from websites or shows that would promote or talk about this. It’s funny because you don’t seem to hear about the end of the world when things seem to be going good. But when disaster strikes or especially when Israel is in the news then we begin to look for signs that the end is near. For many Christians this means the tribulation, Armageddon and destruction. We want to be transported out before all the chaos takes place. I could get into thoughts and theories about the end times but I’m not (you’re welcome). So here is the question I ask:

Why? Why do so many people, when they hear about the major problems in our world become sky gazers and wait for the coming of Jesus?

Can I offer one suggestion? Maybe because it is easier to run from hardships and difficulties than to run to them and bring healing, grace, love and hope.

Let’s be real: Why stay on earth when all around is destruction and problems when I can be transported away to the glories of heaven. And while that doesn’t seem bad in theory it causes a major problem in our theology if we focus more on being transported out then to stay and make a difference.

In fact the early disciples had a similar choice they had to make.

Let’s look at the beginning of Acts. Jesus tells the disciples that “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The disciples receive their commission, what they should be doing.

Then Jesus ascends into heaven and the disciples are standing their watching him, I’m sure amazed by what they are watching. As this is happening two men in white appear to the disciples and tell them “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

Ah, a promise of his return. So the disciples have a choice to make. They can stand there and watch the clouds, waiting for Jesus to return. They could come back each day to the spot he ascended and hoped they would be there to see him come back. They could have gathered and waited for his return wondering if this is the day he will return to overthrow the Romans and restore Israel to be a nation. Will this be the day that Jesus brings peace and gets rid of the hardship and cruelty of an evil empire? Will this be the day we can escape the difficulties and struggles of this world and have God’s glory descend to Israel once again? Is this the day we rebuild the temple and be a united people once again?

But rather then sitting around, looking at the growing evils of the Roman Empire, their bloodshed and cruel torture and hoping this would be the day Jesus returned they went back to Jerusalem and waited for the promise of the Spirit. They waited for the power of God that would fill them to be bold witness to Jerusalem, Samaria and the ends of the Earth. That they would be such witnesses that people would say "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here” (Acts 17:6). What type of trouble? The trouble of proclaiming Jesus and watching lives change as a result.



Today we face the same choice as the disciples. When we see the news of what is going on around us and remember the promise of his return do we look to the sky and gaze, hoping to see the return of Jesus or do we ask to be filled with the Spirit and boldness to follow the call of Jesus to be his witnesses to all the world? Let’s not run from the chaos but rather to it knowing that greater is he who is in us then the one and problems in the world. We have the hope, love, grace, mercy and healing the world needs. Will you be a sky gazer or a world changer?